US Speaker Mike Johnson insisted on Tuesday that the Donald Trump-led administration would “do everything possible” to help India stand against terrorism amid escalating tensions with Pakistan. The assertion comes days after top American officials urged India to work with its neighbour to “de-escalate tensions” and urged Pakistani officials to cooperate “in investigating this unconscionable attack”. The two countries have announced a slew of measures against each other following an attack in Kashmir that left 26 dead and many others injured last month — from suspending trade and a key water treaty to closing their airspace and reducing embassy staff.
“We have great sympathy for what’s happening over there and we want to stand with our allies. I think India is a very important partner to us in so many ways. I hope that the trade negotiations will work out well between the two countries…And India has to stand against terrorism there as well. We’ll do everything we can in the US to support those efforts,” he said.
Johnson also insisted that the The Trump administration was well aware of the “importance of that relationship” and the significant threat posed by terrorism. He also suggested that the US government could allocate additional energy and resources to help New Delhi in case of an escalating threat.
“And so I think if that threat is increased, I think you’ll see the administration, my belief is that they will focus more energy and resources and time to help assist with that. That’s certainly our hope,” he said.
Ties between India and Pakistan have become increasingly strained over the past few weeks following a deadly terrorist attack in Kashmir that left 26 people dead and several others injured. Both countries have announced a series of escalating tit-for-tat measures in the ensuing days and New Delhi has repeatedly vowed to deliver a “befitting reply” the the Pahalgam attack.
Islamabad has denied the accusation but says it is fully prepared to defend itself in case of attack — prompting world powers to call for a calming of tension. The Pakistani foreign ministry also said on Tuesday that it had met with the United Nations Security Council this week — with top officials urging both nations to ease tensions and avoid military conflict.
Pakistan is currently a non-permanent member of the Security Council. India is not, but New Delhi has been in talks with council members ahead of Monday’s meeting. An Indian source familiar with the discussion told Reuters that many members had expressed concern that Pakistan’s missile tests and nuclear rhetoric were “escalatory” factors.
(With inputs from agencies)